The European Rail Timetable editorial team preview some of the new and improved services in the 2026 timetable.
The European rail network is on the cusp of a major transformation with the December 2025 timetable change and subsequent service introductions throughout 2026. From high-speed breakthroughs in southern Austria to expanding international services across Central and Eastern Europe, passengers can look forward to faster journeys, more frequent connections, and new options for cross-border travel. Below, we explore the most significant developments by region, highlighting new services, infrastructure improvements, and plans that promise to reshape the continent’s railway landscape.
Austria: Koralmbahn Opens and Transforms Southern Connections
One of the most anticipated developments in the European railway calendar is the full opening of the Koralmbahn, the new high-speed railway linking Graz and Klagenfurt. This 127-kilometre line, featuring the remarkable 33-kilometre Koralm Tunnel, will cut travel times between Wien and southern Austria by approximately 20 minutes, bringing the fastest journey between Wien and Klagenfurt down to just 3 hours and 34 minutes. The maximum permitted speeds of 250 km/h on the line will allow frequent, high-speed services that were previously impossible.
For Graz, the Koralmbahn brings a dramatic expansion of both domestic and international connections. The journey between Graz and Klagenfurt, which currently relies on a two-hourly direct bus taking two hours, will be transformed. Passengers can expect one to two trains per hour taking as little as 41 minutes, a game-changer for commuters and leisure travellers alike. A two-hourly fast Railjet Express (RJX) service will link Wien Hbf with Villach, stopping only at Wien Meidling, Bruck an der Mur, Graz, and Klagenfurt. Some of these RJX services will extend internationally, providing direct connections between Praha and Villach via Wien and Graz, as well as faster journeys between Wien and northern Italy
Complementing the RJX services are hourly semi-fast Railjet (RJ) services from Wien, stopping at additional stations such as Weststeiermark and St. Paul im Lavanttal on the new line. These services will provide flexible options for passengers travelling between regional hubs, and some will continue onward to Lienz or Salzburg via Bad Gastein. Meanwhile, existing EuroCity (EC) trains connecting Graz with München will be upgraded to ICE services, rerouted via Villach, Klagenfurt, and the new infrastructure to reduce journey times and offer faster international connections.
Passengers along the older route between Bruck an der Mur and Villach will not be forgotten: a new hourly InterRegio (IR) service will ensure continued connectivity. Future improvements are also on the horizon, with the Semmering Base Tunnel project—expected to open around 2030—promising further reductions in travel times between Wien and the south.
The Koralmbahn also enables new Wien–Trieste and Wien–Ljubljana Railjet services. The Wien–Trieste train will depart Wien at 06:53 and return from Trieste at 14:22, replacing the older, slower Emona service. Meanwhile, a Wien–Ljubljana service is scheduled to start in early 2026, taking around 5 hours and 20 minutes, offering a new direct connection via Graz and Klagenfurt. These services will significantly improve links between Austria, northern Italy, and Slovenia, catering to both business and leisure travellers.
Germany and Poland: Expanding EuroCity, Overnight, and Open-Access Services
In Germany, the December timetable marks the launch of DB’s first ICE L trains, including ICE 1548 departing Berlin at 06:55 and returning as ICE 1055 from Köln at 15:36. Engineering work across the country will continue to affect services well into 2026, with significant closures and upgrades planned on routes including:
Berlin–Hamburg: until April 30, 2026
München–Stuttgart: January 13 – February 6
Nürnberg–Regensburg: February 6 – June 14
Köln–Hagen via Wuppertal: February 6 – July 10
Hannover–Hamburg: May 1 – July 10
Regensburg–Passau: June 14 – December 14
The Berlin–Dresden corridor will reopen fully with trains using the Dresdner Bahn line from December, cutting journey times from over two hours to just 95 minutes. Airport Express trains from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Berlin Brandenburg Airport will now reach their destination in 20 minutes using a new connecting curve to the outer ring railway.
On the Germany–Poland corridor, two new daily Leipzig–Kraków EuroCity services will be introduced via the border crossing at Horka/Węgliniec, one extending to Przemyśl. Additionally, a new Berlin–Warszawa-Express, EC43/42, will create a two-hourly service throughout the day. A new overnight service, IC 441/440, will run Berlin–Chełm via Poznań, Łódź, and Warszawa, with through cars continuing to Przemyśl.
Open-access operators are making their mark. RegioJet, having begun trial services in Poland in September 2025, plans full commercial operations from April 1, 2026. Its network will include Warszawa–Poznań, Kraków–Warszawa–Gdynia, and international services from Warszawa to Ostrava and Praha, as well as Warszawa to Ostrava and Wien. FlixTrain has also gained approval to run two daily train pairs between Warszawa Wschodnia, Poznań Główny, and Berlin Ostbahnhof from December 14, 2025, allowing some domestic travel within Poland.
Czech Republic: Leo Express Expands
Czech open-access operator Leo Express is set to launch a new Praha–Bratislava service on April 30, 2026, using the Talgo VI trains recently leased. Initially offering two return services daily, this marks an important step in increasing competitive cross-border travel options between the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Earlier in the winter, Leo Express will also increase daily Praha–Kraków services and introduce new routes between Praha and Warszawa via Katowice.
Sweden, Denmark, and Germany: New Day and Night Services
SJ’s Stockholm–Berlin overnight service will be withdrawn at the end of August 2026 due to subsidy withdrawal. Its partner RDC plans to continue the service commercially, while Snälltåget is exploring new Berlin services. Snälltåget is also launching a new direct daytime train linking Hamburg, København, Malmö, and Stockholm from May 4, 2026, offering passengers a same-day option across northern Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. Stops include Neumünster, Padborg, Kolding, Odense, København Syd, Malmö, Lund, Eslöv, Hässleholm, Alvesta, Nässjö, Linköping, Norrköping, and Södertälje. End-to-end journey time is approximately 11 hours, with onboard restaurant services available.
Meanwhile, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) is hoping to launch a new EuroNight service between Basel, Malmö, and København from April 15, 2026, restoring overnight connections between Switzerland and Scandinavia. Operating three times a week, the train would provide sleeper, couchette, and seated accommodation, calling at key hubs such as Freiburg (Breisgau), Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Frankfurt Süd, Hamburg, Kolding, Odense, Høje Taastrup, and København Lufthavn.
Spain: Ouigo España Introduces Barcelona–Sevilla Service
From December 14, Ouigo España will operate a daily service connecting Barcelona and Sevilla via Zaragoza, Madrid, and Córdoba. Departure from Barcelona is at 07:35, arriving in Sevilla at 13:51, with a return from Sevilla at 17:02, arriving in Barcelona at 23:03. This service enhances high-speed domestic connectivity and supports increasing demand for long-distance travel within Spain.
Switzerland–Italy: Additional EuroCity Services
EuroCity connections between Zürich and Milano will be strengthened with two additional daily pairs, one of which extends to Firenze via Bologna. Seasonal extensions from March to October will include EC 18/17 Zürich–Milano to Livorno via Genova, offering a direct connection from Switzerland to Tuscany. This is the first time in years that such direct services are available, providing improved access for tourists and leisure travellers to Italy’s cultural and coastal destinations.
Bosnia Herzegovina–Croatia: Sarajevo–Ploče Weekend Services
ŽFBiH and HŽ Passenger Transport have introduced a new weekend service linking Sarajevo and Ploče, extending the existing Sarajevo–Čapljina service. Operations began on November 9, with services on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until June 25, 2026, after which the line will run daily during the summer holiday season until August 31. Timings are designed for convenient travel, including evening arrivals for weekend departures and early-morning northbound options, providing faster, more comfortable links to the Adriatic coast.
France–Germany: Paris–Berlin by European Sleeper
European Sleeper plans to launch a Paris–Berlin night train from March 2026, running three times weekly via Brussels. This will complement the Brussels–Praha night service and significantly enhance overnight connectivity between Western and Central Europe. The expanded network offers passengers a sustainable alternative to short-haul flights and strengthens cross-European rail integration.
Estonia–Latvia: Tartu–Riga Express
Elron’s long-awaited service between Tartu and Riga is now scheduled to launch on December 15, 2025, with a journey time of approximately three and a half hours. The service will include four stops in Latvia before reaching Riga and will connect seamlessly with Estonia’s domestic network at Valga. This project, originally planned for Tartu’s European Capital of Culture year, reflects continued efforts to enhance Baltic rail connectivity.
Serbia–Hungary–Austria: Belgrade–Budapest–Wien Expansion
A draft 2025/26 timetable suggests six daily trains between Beograd and Budapest, split evenly between Srbija Voz and MÁV, some utilizing new high-speed units from CRRC. Two MÁV services use the same train numbers as Budapest–Wien trains, hinting at a future integration with ÖBB services. Full operation may begin as early as spring 2026, providing passengers with new high-speed international connections.
Key European Network Trends and Emerging Operators
Across Europe, there is a clear trend toward expanding high-speed services, introducing overnight connections, and enabling open-access operators to compete with state railways. RegioJet and FlixTrain are both entering the Polish market, offering domestic and international services that directly compete with PKP Intercity. RegioJet plans routes between Warszawa, Kraków, Gdynia, and internationally to Praha and Wien.
Meanwhile, major track and infrastructure projects continue to reshape travel patterns. Passengers travelling between Frankfurt and Wien via Passau will face temporary reductions in direct ICE from February 6. The line between Nürnberg and Regensburg is closed from February 6 to June 13 meaning a reduced service will operate, with trains being diverted via Ingolstadt resulting in extended journey times. Then from June 14 the section of line between Regensburg and Passau will face a lengthy period of upgrade work meaning all daytime through services between Frankfurt and Wien will be suspended. Passengers will need to travel via München with additional München–Wien running to provide the required extra capacity.
Looking Ahead: The Future of European Rail Travel
The December 2025 timetable change, along with subsequent service introductions in 2026, marks a pivotal moment for Europe’s railways. Passengers can look forward to faster connections via new high-speed lines like the Koralmbahn, enhanced night train options linking Paris, Berlin, Basel, and København, and increasing competition from open-access operators such as RegioJet and FlixTrain. Additional EuroCity services across Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Poland further expand the range of daytime options, while strategic investments in infrastructure—tunnels, line upgrades, and station improvements—promise enduring benefits for cross-border travel.
The network changes represent not just faster trains but a broader commitment to sustainable mobility across Europe. From the Adriatic coast to Scandinavia, from the Iberian Peninsula to Eastern Europe, passengers will find enhanced service frequency, modern rolling stock, and improved convenience. The railways are moving towards a future where long-distance and regional travel can increasingly compete with air and road transport in terms of speed, comfort, and environmental impact.
For travellers, the coming months offer opportunities to experience a truly integrated European network. Whether it’s commuting between Graz and Klagenfurt in less than an hour, exploring Italy from Zürich, or enjoying direct day or night travel between Hamburg and Stockholm, the continent’s railways are entering an era of unprecedented connectivity.
Photo: An SBB Stadler Giruno near Wassen on the Gotthard Bahn, August 28, 2024. ID 347024643 © Boarding1now. Dreamstime.com.
